[jacamar]

Nice. There are not many snowy owls in our area too. Where did you go to look?

Holland Marsh - there were 9 reported there last weekend.

[derekkite]

A rather hungry beaver.

[boriscleto]

A few from a cold day at the zoo with the lil'Bigma.























She didn't like the a-hole whistling at her like she was a dog...







Wild Mallards outnumber the zoo ducks by a large margin.

[lukulele]

She didn't like the a-hole whistling at her like she was a dog...

Then maybe she boriscletoed™ the offender?

[traderdrew]

Hi Swip,

Using the Sigma 500mm F/4.5, it is very sharp at F/5.6 and slightly sharper at F/6.3. I find sharpness goes down at F/8 and I suspect this is because I am starting to run into diffraction at F/7.1 because of the K-3. The more megapixels you put into a sensor the more risk of diffraction as a rule of thumb. I don't know how the new Pentax 51 megapixel camera is avoiding it. Maybe because it is a larger sensor?

If you search the internet about this lens and find what little information is available, you will find a similar finding among the F stops.

I shoot at F/5.6 and F/6.3 whenever I can and I don't need anymore 99% of the time anyway. I've spoken to Canon and Nikon people and some of their super telephotos don't max out in sharpness until F/9 or F/10 or so. Or so they say.

[swip]

Hi Swip,

Using the Sigma 500mm F/4.5, it is very sharp at F/5.6 and slightly sharper at F/6.3. I find sharpness goes down at F/8 and I suspect this is because I am starting to run into diffraction at F/7.1 because of the K-3. The more megapixels you put into a sensor the more risk of diffraction as a rule of thumb. I don't know how the new Pentax 51 megapixel camera is avoiding it. Maybe because it is a larger sensor?

If you search the internet about this lens and find what little information is available, you will find a similar finding among the F stops.

I shoot at F/5.6 and F/6.3 whenever I can and I don't need anymore 99% of the time anyway. I've spoken to Canon and Nikon people and some of their super telephotos don't max out in sharpness until F/9 or F/10 or so. Or so they say.

This is very interesting. I have taken lots of photos at F/8 and didn't notice any degradation in sharpness. But I will definitely do some tests to confirm my casual observations.

[kengoh]

From backlog shot last year:

[csa]

That is an amazing shot! Is this a combination of images of the same bird?

[kengoh]

That is an amazing shot! Is this a combination of images of the same bird?

Yes this is the same bird captured from the same shutter click (continuos shots @8.3fps), then stacked them into 1 pic.

[Kath]

A few from a cold day at the zoo with the lil'Bigma.

Really enjoyed these shots. Especially like the stunning color on those unusual ducks. You've inspired me to visit our local zoo. Thanks.

[csa]

Yes this is the same bird captured from the same shutter click (continuos shots @8.3fps), then stacked them into 1 pic.

You did an amazing job!

[Weevil]

A few from a cold day at the zoo with the lil'Bigma

Nice series !

[Kath]

From backlog shot last year

Wow! Nice shots, nice processing. Terrific.

[jacamar]

My collection of field guides doesn't extend to Asia - what kind of bird is that? The red cap and the nesting hole suggest a woodpecker but the bill seems too massive.

[Driline]

K-3 & F*300 "Duck Dance Moves"